Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate decision to make contact with an unsuitable landing surface, resulting in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was performing a low reconnaissance pass over an area to determine its suitability for landing. He decided to lightly drag the airplane's main landing gear wheels on the landing surface to check for roughness, but the wheels settled into soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC11CA066 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 19, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kantishna, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bellanca 8GCBC
- N-number
- N5043N
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.